Clynelish 1971 (Premier Malts)

One of the legendary Clynelish bottlings: Clynelish 1971 Premier Malts, in a series from the Glasgow bottler Malcolm Pride which was active in the 1990s. Based on the cask number it seems this cask was shared with Jack Wiebers Whisky World (although the ABV is different).

 

 

Clynelish 1971 - Premier MaltsClynelish 32 yo 1971 (54,2%, Malcolm Pride ‘Premier Malts’ 2003, cask #2704)

Nose: top drawer Clynelish. All the classic markers: mango, papaya and passion fruits, generous waxy notes, pollen, soft turpentine and beeswax. A little Earl Grey. Soft mineral notes and just very little oak. Yellow flowers and natural vanilla.

Mouth: quite powerful, a very rich fruit salad with bright top notes (passion fruits again) but even more velvety, syrupy notes of mirabelles, apricots, orange marmalade, bananas. Icing sugar. Plenty of beehive notes. Some green tea and ginger in the background, including a salty note and a gentle bitter edge (grapefruit) and maybe a trace of peat.

Finish: long, still balancing between fruity sweetness and zesty grapefruit.

A classic 1970s Clynelish profile: juicy fruits and a lovely waxiness. Perfect, no need to say more.

Score: 93/100